Combination recording and magnetically operated indicating instrument



y 5, 1953 w. A. RAY 2,637,618

COMBINATION RE DING AND MAGNETICALLY OPERATED I CATING INSTRUMENT 2SHEETS-SHEET 1 Filed July 22, 1949 ATTORNEY May 5, 1953 w. A. RAY2,637,618

COMBINATION RECORDING AND MAGNETICALLY OPERATED INDICATING INSTRUMENT 2SHEETS-SHEET 2 Filed July 22, 1949 INVENTOR.

WM/m P67 ATTORNEY Patented May 5, 1953 UNITED STATES COMBINATIONRECORDING AND MAGNETI- CALLY OPERATED INDICATIN G IN STRU- MENT WilliamA. Ray, North Hollywood, Calif., assignor to General Controls 00., acorporation of California Application July 22,

6 Claims.

This invention relates to a combination indieating and recordinginstrument incorporating, for instance, a stylus movable in response tothe condition desired to be measured, and a periodically removable chartwith which the stylus cooperates to imprint a continuous graphic record.

In devices of this character, auxiliary indicating means are used inorder that the reading may be observed at any instant more readily thanby an examination of the chart.

Heretofore, in devices of this character wherein indicating andrecording instruments are combined, great inconvenience has beenencountered when the completed graphic record is desired to be removedand a new blank chart inserted, as the indicating arm is ordinarily inthe way. Changing charts usually entailed a complete removal or theindicating arm, with an attend ng risk of damaging it. Furthermore, thismanipulation is inconvenient, consuming considerable time.

It is accordingly one object of this invention to provide a combinationindicating and recording instrument which obviates these hazards andinconveniences. For this purpose, use is made of an indicator comprisinga freely rotatable permanent magnet, a movable cover or door in whichthe indicator pointer is mounted, and a cooperating permanent magnetmovable in response to the condition desired to be measured,

the last-named permanent magnet being driven from a source common tothat of the recording mechanism. The cover has a transparent portionpermitting viewing of the pointer indicator when the cover is in closedposition.

It is another object of this invention to provide a combinationindicating and recording instrument that is compact, as well aseconomical, with respect to construction. For this purpose, the door orcover in which the indicator is supported is adapted to cover or uncoverthe recording instrument for gaining access thereto, this door alsoforming a cover for the recording instrument to protect it from thesurrounding atmosphere.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a combinationindicating and recording instrument having common driving means and yetpermitting the indicator to be displaced with respect to the recorderwithout a substantial disassembly of the mechanism.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a combinationindicating and recording instrument in which an indicator is mounted ona cover for the apparatus, the indicator being visible within the cover,and the recorder mechanism being also visible through the cover, thecover providing a transparent frame for the indicator.

This invention possesses many other advan- 1949, Serial No. 106,226

tages, and has other objects which may bemade more clearly apparent froma consideration of a form in which it may be embodied. This form isshown in the drawings accompanying and forming part of thepresentspecification. It will now be described in detail, for thepurpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention; but itis to be understood that such detailed description is not to be taken ina limiting sense, since the scope of the invention is best defined bythe appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevation showing a part of the device incorporating thisinvention, with the cover member open, and showing in particular therecorder mechanism;

Fig. 2 is an elevation similar to Fig. 1, showing the indicatormechanism, the cover member being closed;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view, partly in section, taken along the plane 3-3of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view showing, on a larger scale, the pivotmounting of the indicator within the cover member.

The indicating and recording instrument is adapted to be operated by acondition responsive mechanism Hi. This condition responsive mechanismI0 may be, for instance, a bellows, a servo mechanism, athermo-responsive unit, or the like. This mechanism may be responsive totemperature, pressure, or similar properties, and is mounted within ahousing I i. The housing I I may be appropriately secured at aconvenient location, as by the aid of screws or bolts (not shown),cooperating with suitably apertured lugs or feet It provided on thehousing I l The condition-responsive mechanism i0 is adapted angularlyto position a shaft i3 according to the variation of the conditiondesired to be measured. Appropriately secured to this shaft are a piniongear l4 and a magnetic member in the form of a permanent U-shaped magnet45 having defined pole faces. The pinion gear It operates a recordingstylus 1G, and the magnet l5 operates the indicator arm H, as will behereinafter described.

A constant speed device, such as a timing motor drive [8 for moving aremovable chart i9, is mounted on a stationary internal plate or covermember 20 appropriately secured to the housing II. This member 20 isnon-magnetic, and may be formed from sheet metal. The housing H has aflange portion 2! providing a peripheral surface or shoulder 22 to whichcover member 20 may be secured. The timing motor drive I8 rotates theshaft 23 at a constant rate through appropriate speed reductionmechanism.

For coupling the chart l9 to the timing motor drive 18, the shaft 23 ishollowed at one end. and also radially enlarged to form a cup portion 24providing an annular lip'portion 25 substantiallycoplanar with the outersurface of the internal cover member 20.

A plug 28, made from rubber, or the like, is

adapted to fit frictionally into the cup portion 24, and has an annularflange 21 adapted to cooperate with lip 25 and to" secure the chart l9therebetween so that it may be rotatable with the shaft 23. As the lipportion-'25 is "substantially coplanar with outer surface of the plateor cover member 20, and as the chart i9 is adapted to contact this lipportion 25 as heretofore described, the member 28 will form a backingfor the positioned chart I9.

A stylus arm 28 carrying the stylus IE is adapted to bemovedsubstantially radiallyiwith respect to the chart l9, according tothe variation in the angular position of the shaft 13, which shaft I3 ispositioned by the condition-responsive mechanism I0. This arm 28 ispreferably made of material capable of fiexure,so that the stylus I6maybe lifted from the chart IS without actually disassembling the parts.

The flexible stylus arm 28 is secured to the short end 29 of asubstantially hook-shaped member 38, as by the aid of rivets 3!. Thehookshaped member 30 is provided with apertures inboth endportions29,32, adjacent the bottom 33 of the member 38. A stationary pin 34,mountedon a support 35 provided within the housing ll, cooperates withthe apertures of the hookshaped member 30 and defines an axis ofrotation for the hook-shaped member 38.

The other end 32 of the hook-shapedmember 30 carries a gear segment 36adapted to cooperate with the pinion gear M. This segment may be formedintegrallywithmember 38. Thus,for a particular angular position .of theshaft l3, the stylus arm 28 assumes a definiteucorresponding radialposition with respect to the chart. 19. Through the gearing mechanismcomprising the pinion gear I4 and the gear segment 35 the angularmovement of the resilient stylus arm 28 is confined to the chart I9 eventhough the shaft [3 may undergo large angular movements.

The magnet I5, being directly coupled with the shaft I3, is angularlypositioned together therewith, according to the variation of thecondition measured by the condition-responsive mechanismlo. L. L. p

A cover member 31. for. the housing I l, suitably hinged vvthereto,.isadapted to carry. and house the indicator I] therein. This indicator His freely rotatable. Within. a housing formed. byv a pair of glassplates38 and 39 forming a part of the cover 31 inxa manner hereinafterdescribed. A pointer 48 is formed .at one. end of the indicatorJL, .7

For purposes of conveniencea scale 4! may be appropriately provided on.one of the glass plates 38, as shown in Fig. 2, with which the freelyrotatable indicator l1 may cooperate.

For integrating these glass plates 38 and 39, the frame portion 42 ofthe cover member 31 provides a peripheral shoulder 43 extending radiallyinwardly ofthe frame 42.. The glass plates 38 and 39, spaced by a.spacer collar 44, are adapted to be inserted Within th neck portion 45of the frame 42 defined by the shoulder 43. A retainer ring 46, securedto the frame 42, confines the glass plates 38 and39 to the frame 42.

As shown most clearly in Fig. 4, the indicator I1 is mounted for freerotation between the glass plates 38 and 39,.by the aid of .a pairofpivot points, andfit, cooperating with. jewel bear.-

ings 49 and 58 "appropriately disposed respectively in jewel-bearingsupports 5| and52. These supports 5| and 52 are secured to the centralportion of the glass plates 38 and 39, respectively, as by having upsetedges 53 adapted to overlie the surfaces of the glass plates 38 and 39.For providing a mounting for the indicator IT with respect to the pivotpoints 41 and 48, a pair of telescopingmembers 54 and 55 are provided.Each of these telescoping members 54 and 55 carries one of the pivotpoints 47 or 48. To the outer telescoping member 54 is secured theindicator IT, as by the aid of a radially outwardly extending shoulder56 cooperating with the indicator l'l. For resiliently urging themembers apart in order that the pivot points'4'l and 48 engage the jewelbearings 49 and 50, a compression spring 51 is provided between thetelescoping members 54 and 55.-- This spring 51' abuts at one end theouter telescoping member 54 and, at the other end, is contained in a cupportion 58 of the inner telescoping member 55. In order that theindicator I! and thetelescoping members 54 and 55 may be assembled as aunit between the glass plates 38 and 39, there may be provided on eachof the telescoping members cooperating shoulders 54 and 55 limiting therelative movement of the telescoping members 54 and 55. r Should therebe any-excessivejarring of the cover member 31 as, for instance, whenthe cover member 3'! is being closed, the spring 51 will absorb a largeportion of th shock otherwise directly transferred to the delicateindicator 11. By providing an indicator support-incorporatingtelescoping members 54 and 55, together with spring 51 therein, anon-rigid connection isformed between the cover member 31 and theindicatorl'l. P To the indicator IT is secureda magnetic memher in theform of a permanent magnet 59 having-defined pole faces The polefacesbfy -this magnet 59 areadapted to cooperate with the respectivepole faces of the magnet ..I 5. when the cover member 3! is closed. Inthis closed relation, the indicator I1 is free to mov'e'about-an axissubstantially coaxial with the axis 0f 3 the shaft l3 about which themagnet I5 is angularly positioned; Thu's,-for any particularangular-position of the magnet 15, the cooperatingmagnet 59 will becaused to assume a corresponding angular position,- carryingtheindicator I! along. Furthermore, a movement of the magnet 15, inresponse to a change in the conditiQnP'tobe measured, willcause'the'magnet 59to'follow, and the freely rotatable indicator l'l iscorrespond ingly'mov'ed. I i There is no danger that the indicator I!will assumean incorrect po'sition',such aswhen the magnets l5 and 5,9aremoved into cooperative relationship by the, covermember 31 beingclosed, as there is only one position of eguilibriumbetween the magnetsI5 and 53, both being permanent magnets having welldefined 'directionsofmagnetization. r 7 j i The inner surface '68 of thefra'me 42 ,of'th'ecover member 31 is adapted to engage a sealing gasket 6| appropriatelyprovided within a recess 62 in the flange 2| of the housing I i, sothatthe housing ll maybe thereby substantially sealed. A latch 63 .isadapted to,1ock. the covermember 37 in closed position. Thus, in thenormal operation of the indicating and recording mechanism, as shown, in.Figluz; the. cover member, :SL-Jbeing closed, the delicate parts of therecording system are protected within the housing II.

In the closed position of the cover, the permanent magnet 59 issufficiently near the magnet l5 so that the magnetic forces mutuallyproduced may coaot. Thus, the indicator l1 assumes an angular positioncorrespondin to that of the magnet l5, giving an instantaneousindication of the condition desired to be measured, as by scale 41,magnet [5 having been angularly positioned by the condition-responsivemechanism 10.

If it is desired to replace the removable chart IS, the cover member 31is opened, and the indicator ll thereby easily moved aside, thuspermitting a ready removal and replacement of the removable chart l9, asby lifting the resilient stylus arm 28 and removing the plug 26. Aftera, new chart is inserted, the cover member 31 may be closed; the magnet59, being substantially freely rotatable on the bearings 49 and 50, willbe caused to assume the position defined by the particular position ofthe magnet l5, and the indication of the condition is again easilyestablished. In closed position both the indicator l1 and the recordermechanism are visible through the transparent portion of the covermember 31.

The inventor claims:

1. In an indicating and recording mechanism adapted to cooperate with acondition responsive mechanism: a recording mechanism including meansfor moving a chart support, and recording means cooperating with saidsupport and movable by said condition responsive mechanism; a firstpermanent magnet positioned by said condition responsive mechanism; anindicator; a second permanent magnet secured to said indicator movableby magnetic cooperation with said first permanent magnet; a housing forsaid indicator and said second magnet, including a pair of transparentmembers between which said indicator is supported, said housing beingmovably mounted with respect to said recordin mechanism; a pair oftelescoping members adapted to support said indicator within saidhousing, there being a pair of pivot points carried by each of saidtelescoping members; bearing structures mounted centrally respectivelyof said transparent members and adapted to cooperate with said pivotpoints permitting free rotation of said indicator; and spring meansinterposed between said telescoping members urging said pivot points tocontact said bearing structures.

2. In a measuring instrument adapted to cooperate vrith a conditionresponsive mechanism: a housing for said condition responsive mechanism;a cover member for said housing comprising a frame portion movable withrespect to said housing, a pair of spaced transparent members immovablymounted on said frame; an indicator; a pair of means mounted centrallyof said transparent members respectively for supporting said indicatorbetween said transparent plates; and means external of said cover memberfor moving said indicator.

3. In a measuring instrument adapted to cooperate with a conditionresponsive mechanism: a housing for said condition responsive mechanism;a cover member for said housing comprising a frame portion movable withrespect to said housing, a pair of spaced transparent members immovablymounted on said frame; an indicator; a magnetic member secured to saidindicator; a pair of means mounted centrally of said transparent membersrespectively for supporting said indicator between said transparentplates; and

magnetic means external of said cover member for moving said indicator.

4. In a measuring instrument adapted to cooperate with a conditionresponsive mechanism: a housing for said condition responsive mechanism;a cover member for said housing comprising a. frame portion movable withrespect to said housing, a pair of spaced transparent members mounted onsaid frame; an indicator; means for supporting said indicator betweensaid transparent plates, including a pair of telescoping members, eachhaving a pivot point, one of said telescoping members carryin saidindicator, bearing structures secured to said transparent memberssubstantially centrally thereof respectively and adapted to cooperatewith said pivot points, and resilient means urging said pivot points tocooperate with said bearing structures; and means external of said covermember for moving said indicator.

5. In a recording and indicating system adapted to cooperate with acondition responsive mechanism: an open end housing; a centrallyapertured backing plate over said open end of said housing; a chartmovin mechanism mounted interiorly of said backing plate, and having ashaft aligned with said aperture of said backing plate; a shaftangularly positionable by said condition responsive mechanism andsubstantially coaxial of said shaft of said chart moving mechanism; aU-shaped magnet fixed to said angularly positionable shaft, thebifurcations of said magnet encompassing said chart moving mechanism andhaving pole faces adjacent said backing plate; stylus means coupled tosaid angularly positionable shaft; a removably mounted cover for saidhousing; an indicator; magnetic means carried by said indicator; andmeans pivotally mounting said indicator on said cover.

6. In a recording and indicating system adapted to cooperate with a.condition responsive mechanism: an open end housing; a centrallyapertured backing plate over said open end of said housing; a chartmoving mechanism mounted interiorly of said backin plate, and having ashaft aligned with said aperture of said backing plate; a shaftangularly positionable by said condition responsive mechanism andsubstantially coaxial of said shaft of said chart moving mechanism; aU-shaped magnet fixed to said angularly positionable shaft, thebifurcations of said magnet encompassing said chart moving mechanism andhaving pole faces adjacent said backing plate; stylus means coupled tosaid angularly positionable shaft; a removably mounted cover for saidhousing, said cover comprising a frame and a pair of spaced transparentmembers mounted thereon; an indicator between said transparent members;magnetic means carried by said indicator; and a pair of meansrespectively mounted centrally of said transparent members for pivotallymounting said indicator.

WILLIAM A. RAY.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 1,174,787 Wilkinson Mar. 7, 1916 2,074,117 Ross Mar. 16, 19372,244,653 Meer June 3, 1941 2,417,339 Woolley Mar. 11, 1947 2,475,573Smith et a1 July 5, 1949

